South Carolina State Guard

What South Carolina State Guard does

The South Carolina State Guard (SCSG) is a Title 25 paid professional military force operating under the South Carolina Military Department, headquartered at 1 National Guard Rd, Columbia, SC. The organization traces its origins to the 1670 Charleston Militia and operates under the authority of the South Carolina Code of Laws with the Governor as Commander-in-Chief. It is organized into three principal formations: the Headquarters Command (administrative and operational command-and-control via G-1 through G-8 sections), the 1st Civil Support Brigade (a rapidly deployable disaster-response force structured as three regional battalions: 1st Midlands, 2nd Highlanders, and 3rd Lowcountry), and the 8th Troop Command (specialized units including Search and Rescue Command/SARCOM, Engineering, Medical, Provost Marshall, and Chaplain commands). The force provides disaster response, search and rescue (wilderness, swiftwater, dive, K-9), engineering/STEAM support, medical support, military police/security, chaplain services, and legal counsel (JAG) to state and local authorities.

Core operational outputs center on military-style disaster response, with specialized units operating under US Army rank structure, customs, and courtesies. Training is integrated with FEMA protocols and the Incident Command System, and members gain access to the SGAUS MEMS Academy for emergency-management certification. Recruitment targets South Carolina citizens aged 17-70 for three-year enlistments, processed through the Francis Marion Reception Center (FMRC) and developed through the SCSG Military Academy.

Revenue derives exclusively from state government appropriations under the South Carolina Military Department budget, not commercial activity. Compensation to soldiers is fixed at $150 per month for eight hours of drill and $150 per day when placed on State Active Duty by the Governor, with a $6,000 annual tax deduction available at 192 hours of service. The organization's customer base consists of South Carolina state government, county and municipal governments, and the federal government via FEMA coordination. Strategic partnerships include the South Carolina National Guard (SCNG), FEMA, SGAUS, and the SC Military Department.

Name

South Carolina State Guard

Legal name

South Carolina State Guard

Website

https://sg.sc.gov

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The South Carolina State Guard is a Title 25 paid professional military force operating under the South Carolina Military Department. It provides state-funded disaster response, search and rescue, engineering, medical, and security services to South Carolina citizens through three regional battalions and specialized troop commands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

State Military and Emergency Response Services

NAICS

National Security (928110), National Security and International Affairs (9281), Security Guards and Patrol Services (561612)

SIC

Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIAHAA

Military Operations & Force Readiness

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Defense & National Security

SECONDARYBPAIAGAH

Specialized Law Enforcement Units (SWAT, K9, Bomb Squad, Tactical)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Law Enforcement & Public Safety (Police, Fire, EMS)

SECONDARYBPAKAOAJ

Emergency Response, First Aid/CPR/AED & Incident Management Training

Business & Public Services/Security & Investigations Services/Training & Certification for Security Personnel

SECONDARYEDAHAOAF

Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Academies & Leadership Schools

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Military Academies & Defense Universities

Keywords

• Disaster response services
• Emergency management operations
• Search and rescue
• Homeland defense support
• Military emergency management

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: The South Carolina State Guard is a paid professional military force funded through state government appropriations as part of the South Carolina Military Department. Soldiers receive $150 per month for eight hours of drill and $150 per day when activated for State Active Duty by the Governor.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The South Carolina State Guard is a Title 25 paid professional military force that delivers disaster response, emergency management, search and rescue, homeland defense, and support to civil authorities across the state of South Carolina. It operates as a deployable military organization with three regional battalions under the 1st Civil Support Brigade and specialized commands (SARCOM, Engineering, Medical, Provost Marshall, Chaplain, JAG) under the 8th Troop Command. The organization also delivers training and leadership development through the SCSG Military Academy, the Francis Marion Reception Center, and the MEMS Academy, in coordination with the South Carolina National Guard and FEMA protocols.

Product overview

The South Carolina State Guard is a Title 25 paid professional military force operating under the South Carolina Military Department. The organization offers a unified military service portfolio centered on disaster response and emergency management. Core offerings include the Francis Marion Reception Center for new member orientation, the SCSG Military Academy for leadership development, MEMS Academy for emergency management certification, and the Search and Rescue Command (SARCOM) for technical rescue operations. The 1st Civil Support Brigade provides deployable disaster response forces through three regional battalions. Supporting commands include Engineering Command, Medical Command, Provost Marshall Command, Chaplain Command, and the Judge Advocate General Section. The organization coordinates through a Headquarters Command structure with G-1 through G-8 functional sections. All services operate under US Army rank structure and follow military courtesies and customs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 1st Civil Support Brigade (1CSB) Rapidly deployable force package for disaster response providing immediate boots on the ground with 48-hour sustainment capability. Includes three regional battalions (1st Midlands, 2nd Highlanders, 3rd Lowcountry) serving counties across South Carolina.
• Search and Rescue Command (SARCOM) Technical rescue team providing Search and Rescue assets to support State and Local Authorities in emergencies and disasters. Includes Wilderness Search and Rescue, Swiftwater and Flood Rescue, Dive Rescue, and Cadaver and SAR K-9 units.
• Headquarters Command (HHD) Central command structure providing administrative, intelligence, operations, logistics, planning, communications, civil affairs, fiscal, and public affairs functions. Organized into G-1 through G-8 sections supporting the overall State Guard mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 44,000 hours of service contributed since 2015
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• South Carolina National Guard (SCNG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe SCSG operates in coordination with the SC National Guard, supporting J2, J3, and 218th units. The SCSG provides homeland defense training and disaster response support alongside the National Guard when called upon. The Engineer Command provides STEAM support to SCNG.
• FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCSG training is integrated with FEMA protocols and aligned with Incident Command System (ICS). Members receive training through FEMA Emergency Management Institute. Search and Rescue operations support federal, state, and local first responders during emergencies.
• State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSGAUS provides academies and training programs including MEMS (Military Emergency Management Specialist) Academy. SCSG members have access to SGAUS academies for professional development and certification.
• South Carolina Military DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCSG is one of three military commands under the South Carolina Military Department led by The Adjutant General. The SCSG Military Academy integrates with the Military Department for training and operational readiness.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Guard Bureau: The National Guard Bureau oversees the federal-state hybrid National Guard across all 50 states. It is a broader incumbent operating in the same space as SCSG but with substantially larger scale, federal funding, and federalized activation authority.
• U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary: The Coast Guard Auxiliary is a federally-chartered volunteer force supporting the U.S. Coast Guard with maritime SAR, safety, and disaster response missions. Comparable to SCSG in volunteer-based federal augmentation model for emergency response.
• Civil Air Patrol (USAF Auxiliary): Civil Air Patrol is the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force providing search and rescue, disaster relief, and aerospace education. Comparable to SCSG's SAR and disaster response missions but as a federally-chartered civilian auxiliary with broader scope.

Direct peers

• California State Military Reserve: The California State Military Reserve is a state defense force under the California Military Department providing supplemental support to the California National Guard. Its state-level military force structure, training pipeline, and disaster response role closely parallel SCSG's.
• New York Guard: New York Guard is the state defense force of New York, providing state-level military support to the Governor during emergencies. Like SCSG, it supplements the National Guard in disaster response and homeland defense under state authority.
• Texas State Guard: Texas State Guard is a state defense force under the Texas Military Department with similar disaster response, SAR, and homeland defense missions. It is the closest structural analog to the South Carolina State Guard in terms of state-level Title 32-style organization and paid professional military status.
• Ohio Military Reserve: Ohio Military Reserve is a state defense force providing military support to Ohio's Governor during emergencies and disasters. Comparable to SCSG in its disaster response, training academy, and state-funded professional military force structure.
• Florida State Guard: Florida State Guard was reactivated in 2022 as a state defense force under the Florida Department of Military Affairs. It mirrors the SCSG model of providing disaster response and state-active-duty support to the Governor, making it a directly comparable peer.

Others

• South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD): SCEMD is South Carolina's state emergency management agency coordinating disaster preparedness and response. SCSG operates alongside SCEMD providing military augmentation; SCEMD is a peer ecosystem partner rather than a direct competitor.
• State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS): SGAUS is the national association supporting all U.S. state defense forces, providing training academies including the MEMS Academy accessed by SCSG. It is an enabling/ecosystem peer rather than a competitor, governing interoperability across state guard units.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/south-carolina-state-guard

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about South Carolina State Guard